Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to "get the situation fully under control"

Plus, Ontario's accelerated reopening and a shooting in a Scarborough highschool [The Star] First Up [By Lex Harvey] By Lex Harvey Good morning. Here’s the latest on Trudeau’s emergency declaration, Ontario’s accelerated reopening, and the death of a teen in a Scarborough school shooting. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Justin Tang "Freedom convoy" [Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to stop the convoy protests]( It’s a “last resort” no prime minister has taken before — and one Justin Trudeau avoided during two years of a global pandemic. The prime minister’s declaration of a “public order emergency” yesterday will allow police and financial institutions to create no-go zones around critical infrastructure, commandeer tow trucks and freeze or suspend bank accounts and vehicle insurance coverage, Tonda MacCharles and Alex Ballingall report. While some politicians, including Doug Ford, applauded the move, federal Conservatives and civil libertarians warned against government overreach. [Here’s more on the controversial move](. - What we know: Trudeau said the emergency declaration does not mean the government is calling in the military to deal with protesters — rather it will empower police to clear illegal blockades. [Here’s the full text of Trudeau’s announcement](. - Go deeper: The Emergencies Act has been invoked. [What does that mean?]( - Now what? The organizers of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” doubled down after the announcement. A spokesperson said the move has already prompted more protesters to come to Ottawa. “(Trudeau) wants to mess with the wrong group of people,” he said. - The Star’s take: [Invoking the Emergencies Act is a shocking admission of failure](. Canadian Press/Chris Young covid rules [Ontario is expediting reopening and scrapping vaccine passports ]( Starting Thursday, indoor social gatherings can increase to 50 people and capacity limits will be lifted for restaurants, bars, gyms, and other places requiring proof of vaccination, Kristin Rushowy and Rob Ferguson report. Should COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to fall, vaccine passports and all capacity limits will be scrapped at the beginning of March. In announcing the changes, Premier Doug Ford clarified that loosening restrictions “is not because of what’s happening in Ottawa or Windsor, but despite it.” [Here’s what you need to know](. - More: Masks are here to stay for “a little bit longer.” Ontarians aged 12 to 17 can now line up for a booster shot. - Go deeper: Ford spoke of how COVID-19 rules have divided Ontarians — including his own family. Ford’s daughter Krista Haynes has posted anti-vaccination and anti-mask sentiments on social media. - Another angle: Restaurants, bars and gyms can stop asking for vaccine passports on March 1 — [but some say they still will](. - Martin Regg Cohn’s take: [Doug Ford has played right into the protesters’ hands](. Canadian Press/Arlyn Mcadorey­ school shooting [A teen is dead after a shooting in a Scarborough school]( A community is reeling and police have launched a manhunt after a Grade 12 student was fatally shot at David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute Monday afternoon, Ashleigh-Rae Thomas and Josh Rubin report. Police are looking for a suspect seen fleeing the scene of what they are calling a targeted shooting at 2:50 p.m. yesterday. [Here’s what we know about the tragedy](. - Context: It’s the third time a Toronto student has been killed inside a school building, following the 2007 shooting of [15-year-old Jordan Manners]( and the 2014 stabbing of [19-year-old Hamid Aminzada](. - The aftermath: “We have a lot of upset people inside. It’s going to take a lot to get through it,” said a TDSB spokesperson after visiting the school, her voice wavering. “You guys know what a school is like.” - Word from City Hall: Mayor John Tory offered condolences to the victim’s family and the students. “I want to express my profound sadness that the lives of youth in our city are being taken at the hands of gun violence.” WHAT ELSE Who’s funding the “Freedom Convoy”? [What leaked data suggests about donors](. Here are five burning questions about [how police are handling the Ottawa occupation](. Ontario hospitals are facing a [critical shortage of blood collection tubes](. Metrolinx hired a PR firm for up to [$4 million in consultation work](. [Canada won gold in women’s speedskating team pursuit]( after a Japanese skater crashed on her final turn. Plus, [more updates from Beijing Day 11]( Max Parrot takes bronze; a Russian skater blames her grandfather’s meds for her failed drug test. ICYMI Toronto Star Composite Photo [Security expert. Mountie. Soldier: Meet three men working with the ‘Freedom convoy’.]( CLOSE-UP Alexander Nemenov/AFP MOSCOW: A massive billboard features teenaged Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva with the words “Kamila, we are with you!” Valieva was [cleared Monday to continue competing in the Beijing Olympics]( despite failing a doping test — though a medal ceremony won’t be held if she makes the podium. Thanks for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_106198). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](